Chapter 1 – The Dream
I AM GRÄTER
Every great journey begins with a decision.
This book is the first chapter of a story that, many years later, would even find its way to Hollywood. It tells the story of a curious young boy, extraordinary encounters, and one courageous decision: the vision of filling the Porsche Arena in Stuttgart with 6,000 people. Not to prove anything to anyone.
But to find out whether the ideas and perspectives of extraordinary people could change his own life, too.
Available as a hardcover, eBook, and audiobook – exclusively on Amazon.
Every journey changes along the way.
When I wrote this book, I thought it was about achieving goals.
Today, I know it tells a much bigger story. About curiosity. About encounters. And above all, about courage. About choosing your own path—even when you don't yet know where it will lead.
Perhaps you'll recognize a little of yourself somewhere along the way.
Inside this book, you'll discover …
- the AnkeR™ Method as a compass for your personal and professional goals
- stories from my own journey—honest, human, and unfiltered
- encounters with extraordinary people and their perspectives on success
- thoughts and questions that may stay with you long after you've finished reading
This book is for you if …
- you feel there's still more inside you waiting to be discovered.
- you have big dreams—and still sometimes doubt yourself.
- you'd rather experience stories than read advice.
- you believe that every big dream begins with a first step.
The journey continues.
For many of the chapters, you'll find additional videos, exercises, and bonus materials on this page. Not as homework. But as an invitation. If you'd like, come along.
Personally signed for you.
If you'd like to order your copy directly from me, just get in touch. I'll personally sign every book and, if you wish, add an individual dedication.
Simply contact me through the contact form.
Some stories you read.
Others you want to experience together.
If the ideas in this book stay with you and you'd like to explore them more deeply, the workshops give you the opportunity to continue the journey together—and bring what you've discovered into your everyday life.
Ideal for leaders, teams, and people who want to turn new perspectives into real-life steps.
Check out our workshops that guide you step by step toward greater inner strength—with a focus on self-leadership, emotional clarity, and mental resilience.
Audio sample: Becomming Gräter
The Journey Continues
Thank you for reading my book.
For some of the chapters, I've prepared additional videos, exercises, and ideas for you. Not as homework. But as an invitation. Perhaps one of these thoughts will stay with you and accompany you a little further on your journey.
How to Get Your Book Bonus
1. Click “Continue the Journey” and enter your name and email address.
2. Confirm your registration.
3. Shortly afterward, you'll receive your bonus material directly by email.
You Don't Have the Book Yet?
Then your journey begins here.
Behind Every Great Stage Is a Human Being.
Over the years, I've had the privilege of meeting extraordinary people. What impressed me most was never their success. It was their curiosity, their openness, and the conversations that happened away from the spotlight.
This photo was taken at the legendary Electric Lady Studios in New York City.
Anke and I spent an entire day in the studio with Gene Simmons of KISS. We recorded a KISS song together and talked about life, success, and personal growth. During our time together, Gene also took a look at my English book, I AM GRÄTER, and later asked me to send him my screenplay so he could read it.
Encounters like this remind me again and again:
The most fascinating stories often happen when the cameras are turned off.
Every Journey Begins with a First Step.
If you'd like, yours can begin with the first few pages of this book. You can read the first chapter for free right here.
Chapter 1: A Stands for Action
“Michelangelo was a sculptor. One day, he began working on a huge block of stone with a hammer and chisel. His goal was to turn it into a work of art.
The stone was anything but easy to work with. Yet Michelangelo set out to bring his vision to life. He spent hours studying the stone. Even his friends asked him why he was wasting his time on such an ugly and difficult block of rock.
Michelangelo replied:
‘I see a beautiful angel trapped inside this block of stone, and I will do everything I can to set it free.’
The most important thing when creating an angel from stone—as with anything else in life—is…”
About the Author – Norman Gräter
Some questions can change an entire life.
More than 20 years ago, Norman Gräter began asking extraordinary people the same question: “What is the most important thing to be successful in life?”
Entrepreneurs. Global stars. Elite athletes. Artists. More than 400 conversations later, he realized something: There is no single right answer. There is only your own path. Instead of simply collecting their answers, Norman began putting them to the test in his own life.
That decision led him on a journey from working behind the scenes as an event manager to speaking on international stages—and eventually to writing a screenplay that is now being developed for the big screen together with a Hollywood team.
Yet for the man with the blue glasses, success has never been about the number of people in the audience.
It’s about the number of people who, after an encounter, begin to see their own lives through new eyes.
